JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

Qualitative reflections on teenage motherhood experiences

Sodi, Edzisani Egnes (2005-04)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University 2005

Thesis

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the current study was to undertake a phenomenological
investigation on teenage motherhood and to learn how this experience forms
part of the teenage mother's life. Using the snowball sampling method, five
women aged between 26 and 35 years were selected to participate in the
study. All the five women became mothers during their teenage years. Indepth
interviews were conducted in Northern Sotho and Tshivenda depending
on the language preference and fluency of the participant. The interviews
were audio-taped, and later transcribed and translated.
A phenomenological method of analysis was used to transform the original
data into natural meaning units (NMUs) which were further interrogated so as
to distil central sociological themes that were associated with the experience
of teenage motherhood. Apart from the finding that the participants got
pregnant when they were aged between 16 and 18, five sociological themes
associated with teenage motherhood were identified. These are:
• Lack of knowledge about sexual relationships contributes to teenage
pregnancy and motherhood.
• Early childbearing has a negative impact on the teenage mother's
social relationships.
• Teenage mothers tend to experience emotional problems after delivery
of their babies.
• Teenage motherhood has a long term disruptive effect on the teenage
mother's educational and occupational opportunities.
• Teenage motherhood leads to significant lifestyle changes for those
who have been through the experience. In view of the above themes, sexual education both at school and at home, is
suggested here as a more viable option to help minimise the risk of teenage
motherhood in society. Whilst other options like abortion and the newly
introduced child support grant are also available to the teenage mother, these
are not considered favourable.